Page 35 of Bewitchingly Hers
I’d been a mess all day at work, until my employees had finally kickedmeout after I let one too many shots of espresso die. Yeah, I wasnotready to look at that too deeply.
Barrett waived Iris over, handing her a card and paying for both of our drinks before I could even speak. Then he stood up, discreetly adjusting himself—I tried not to notice the bulge in his pants, since we were clearly not talking about how affected either of us were—and then extended out a hand to me.
Wordlessly, I slipped my hand into his, interlacing our fingers together. I took that moment to admire how big his hand was.
Really, he was hugeeverywhere.He was over a foot taller than me—making me feel even smaller than I normally felt—and there was no mistaking how muscular he was.
He guided me out into the night, and I tried to ignore the way it felt like bats were flying around in my stomach. Each one lighting a fire burning low in my stomach. A need building in between my thighs.
I was nervous. When was the last time I’d been nervous around someone? I didn’t know. But I also didn’t know when the last time Ilikedsomeone this much was either. Maybe itwas quick to feel like this—only a few days had passed since I’d woken up in bed with his human form wrapped around me. And yet, I didn’t care about any of that.
Barrett’s thumb brushed over my knuckles. “Did you walk or drive?” He looked around, no doubt trying to find my car.
I tried to imagine what it was like to see this place for the first time through his eyes. Main Street was illuminated by string lights and flickering pumpkins, because the moment September came to Pleasant Grove, Halloween was in full swing here. Welovedit. From the pumpkin festival next week to All Hallow’s Eve and even the weekly Ghoul’s Night in the bar, everything was all Halloween, all the time, until the end of October. I’d grown up here, and yet I still loved when the decorations went up every year.
The only thing that might have had Halloween beat was when winter hit our little town. When a coating of snow settled across the rooftops and the horseless sleighs pulled by magic could be found traveling down Main Street. Christmas in Pleasant Grove was something else entirely.
“I walked,” I said, giving him a small smile. “It’s nice out tonight.”
He nodded, squeezing my hand. “Then, let’s walk back.” Perks of living in a small town—even my house, at the edge of the forest, was only a few blocks away from the town center.
“Okay.”
Barrett pulled me in close, dropping a kiss to my forehead. “Okay.”
I leaned my head against his arm as we walked, enjoying the comfortable silence. Maybe we both needed this moment to cool down.
This was one of the first nights I felt like I’d really gotten to appreciate the decorations since they’d went up. It was already the end of September. It felt like I’d blinked, and then the monthwas over. Of course, every day meant we were one closer to Halloween, so I couldn’t help but be excited.
A little shiver ran through me, and Barrett frowned at my side. “Are you cold?”
I shrugged. “A little.” It wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle, however. Fiddling with my pendant around my neck, I avoided eye contact with him. There was something too real, too raw in his gaze.
Without another word, he took off his coat, draping it over my shoulders. It was warm and cozy, and I was instantly surrounded by his woodsy scent. God, he smelled delicious. I buried my nose in the neck, inhaling deeply. When I looked up, I found him smirking at me, and I knew I’d been caught.
“What?” I asked him as the corners of his mouth tilted up.
“You’re cute,” he said, lifting our adjoined hands and kissing the back of mine.
I blushed. “Barrett.” I looked around, like someone might possibly catch us.
He squeezed my hand. “I’m sorry. I’ll control myself.” I giggled as he dropped his head down, his lips brushing over my ear as he whispered, “For now.”
The sensation of his lips on my skin made me shiver in anticipation.
“That’s what I’m counting on,” I said back, batting my eyelashes at him. He let out a little growl—not one of aggression, but frustration.
I giggled as we reached my house, taking the few steps onto the porch. He stood behind me as I unlocked the door, and I could almostfeelthe heat from his body seeping into mine. After it clicked shut behind us, I stepped into the living room, all too aware of the man behind me.
His presence was intoxicating in ways I couldn’t explain. In ways I didn’t want to think about too deeply.
Barrett wrapped his arms around my middle and holding me tight. Shutting my eyes, I tried not to moan as he nuzzled his face into my neck.
“Fuck,” he grunted. “Eryne. You smell so good.”
I tilted my head back to look at him, sniffing at my collar. “Don’t I just smell like you?”
He let out a groan. “With my coat?Yes. But it’s not enough.” He pressed a kiss to the sensitive skin between my neck and shoulder.
